WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds today’s introduction of the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009,” in the City Council of the District of Columbia by Councilmember David Catania and 10 co-sponsors. The bill seeks to allow same-sex couples to legally marry in D.C. Currently, D.C. only recognizes the marriages of same-sex couples that are performed elsewhere.

“Today’s introduction of the ‘Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009’ by Councilmember David Catania and 10 co-sponsors is another step toward full freedom and equality in the District of Columbia. It’s time for D.C. to join other fair-minded jurisdictions across this country in issuing marriage certificates to loving and committed same-sex couples.

“Many D.C. couples wish to marry in their hometown and can’t. For some, the financial barriers to traveling to states such as Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut and Massachusetts to marry are too significant. For others, getting married in any of those states may carry less emotional meaning for them or their loved ones, given the significance of the day. For others still, as a matter of principle, they want to be able to get married in the same beautiful city that so many of their friends and neighbors can already get married in.

“To have full marriage rights in our nation’s capital would set a new threshold for other jurisdictions. We look forward to full marriage equality in the District of Columbia, when same-sex couples can be legally married in the city where they live, work, raise their children and make their homes.”